Daryl Tuffey retires from all cricket

New Zealand fast bowler Daryl Tuffey has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a 12-year international career. Tuffey, who last played for his country in 2010, lost his central contract the following year, but was handed a domestic contract for 2012-13 with Auckland Aces last month.

Tuffey, 34, said he had decided to retire because he had missed the most of last season due to injury.

"I've had a few different injuries recently and they do get tougher to come back from," Tuffey said. "It's probably been my one major regret in cricket that I haven't spent as much time on the field as I would have liked but it's part and parcel of playing the game.

"There aren't many people who get the chance to get paid for playing the game they love and I feel really lucky that I've been able to do that. It's been an honour to represent my country and to be able to do so in some great places around the world has been a bonus."

Tuffey made his Test debut during the home series against Australia in 1999-2000. His best performance was 6 for 54 at Eden Park to help New Zealand square the Test series against England in 2001-02. He was New Zealand's regular opening bowler in the Test and ODI sides but had his share of breakdowns, including a damaged shoulder in 2005 which kept him out of the side for the best part of two years. He lost another two years when he signed for the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007.

He returned to New Zealand's Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in mid 2009, but was plagued by injuries thereafter - he suffered broken bones in his hands twice in the following six months, before straining a bicep during a one-day series in India in November 2010.
He played the last of his 26 Tests in 2010 against Australia, taking 77 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. He played 94 ODIs and took 110 wickets. In a 16-year first-class career, he took 288 wickets.

He began his first-class career for Northern Districts in 1996-97 before moving to Auckland in 2008-09. Paul Strang, the Auckland coach, said Tuffey would be missed. "Daryl will be a huge loss to us because he brings so much to the side," Strang said. "He's been fantastic for us, especially in the short form and contributes a lot both on and off the field."

Good luck Tuff !!! One of the finest bowlers from NZ after Shane Bond.

dummy4fb
on September 15, 2012, 8:03 GMT

Last time I saw him was in colin Maiden Park Auckland acess Vs Pakistan, when Auckland Acess beat Pakistan here in Auckland. But I was at the T20 in Eden Park when Ricky Pointing wacked him all along the park. The local kiwis don't know much about cricket and don't even care but If you ask them about rugby they will know even the street player. That is one of the reason New Zealand players retires way sooner than the other nation players.

bluefunk
on September 15, 2012, 3:33 GMT

why do injuries afflict so many of the new zealanders? mystifying.

CricketRevolution
on September 14, 2012, 20:23 GMT

A player with moderate abilities and performances but surely no cricket fan minded his presence on the field. Good Lad.

Sinhaya
on September 14, 2012, 19:39 GMT

Was great to see you play and good luck with your future endeavors.

praveen4honestremark
on September 14, 2012, 15:14 GMT

Simple bowling action and dangerous in Swinging conditions. Thank you Tuffey for all the memories. Miss you. Happy retirement life.

Jasmanmit_singh
on September 14, 2012, 14:46 GMT

Best of Luck. Gud Bowler and a very Gud Human Being.

bored_iam
on September 14, 2012, 13:33 GMT

Tuffey + Bond: Two of New Zealand's best since Hadlee. Its a shame they didn't both play longer. Could have taken NZ to incredible heights.

Good luck Tuff !!! One of the finest bowlers from NZ after Shane Bond.

dummy4fb
on September 15, 2012, 8:03 GMT

Last time I saw him was in colin Maiden Park Auckland acess Vs Pakistan, when Auckland Acess beat Pakistan here in Auckland. But I was at the T20 in Eden Park when Ricky Pointing wacked him all along the park. The local kiwis don't know much about cricket and don't even care but If you ask them about rugby they will know even the street player. That is one of the reason New Zealand players retires way sooner than the other nation players.

bluefunk
on September 15, 2012, 3:33 GMT

why do injuries afflict so many of the new zealanders? mystifying.

CricketRevolution
on September 14, 2012, 20:23 GMT

A player with moderate abilities and performances but surely no cricket fan minded his presence on the field. Good Lad.

Sinhaya
on September 14, 2012, 19:39 GMT

Was great to see you play and good luck with your future endeavors.

praveen4honestremark
on September 14, 2012, 15:14 GMT

Simple bowling action and dangerous in Swinging conditions. Thank you Tuffey for all the memories. Miss you. Happy retirement life.

Jasmanmit_singh
on September 14, 2012, 14:46 GMT

Best of Luck. Gud Bowler and a very Gud Human Being.

bored_iam
on September 14, 2012, 13:33 GMT

Tuffey + Bond: Two of New Zealand's best since Hadlee. Its a shame they didn't both play longer. Could have taken NZ to incredible heights.

I have had the chance to play along with him in ICL. A humble bloke ... helpful and above all a great bowler and the bounce he creates is just amazing. You will be missed bro, have a great time ahead .... cheers

Best wishes for your future endevour. Well done Mr. Tuffey, i was great to see you bowling with mills, bond, martin and franklin in your whole carrier.

Sakthiivel
on September 14, 2012, 7:52 GMT

He is a good bowler. Well done and Good luck

CricketingStargazer
on September 14, 2012, 7:41 GMT

Sad to see him go. He was a whole-hearted cricketer of the type that New Zealand has produced so often. He didn't quite hit the heights, but gave everything he had and that made him a fine international player.

rosspat
on September 14, 2012, 7:37 GMT

well done Daryl, all the best for retirement

dummy4fb
on September 14, 2012, 7:31 GMT

Fast bowler? They guy is a solidly built 6 foot 4 and bowled around 125km an hour.

dummy4fb
on September 14, 2012, 7:14 GMT

Will remember Tuffey as a cricketer who had the nack of picking up a wicket or two in his very first over of the spell. Best of luck for the future, Daryll.

Will remember Tuffey as a cricketer who had the nack of picking up a wicket or two in his very first over of the spell. Best of luck for the future, Daryll.

dummy4fb
on September 14, 2012, 7:31 GMT

Fast bowler? They guy is a solidly built 6 foot 4 and bowled around 125km an hour.

rosspat
on September 14, 2012, 7:37 GMT

well done Daryl, all the best for retirement

CricketingStargazer
on September 14, 2012, 7:41 GMT

Sad to see him go. He was a whole-hearted cricketer of the type that New Zealand has produced so often. He didn't quite hit the heights, but gave everything he had and that made him a fine international player.

Sakthiivel
on September 14, 2012, 7:52 GMT

He is a good bowler. Well done and Good luck

QingdaoXI
on September 14, 2012, 8:24 GMT

Best wishes for your future endevour. Well done Mr. Tuffey, i was great to see you bowling with mills, bond, martin and franklin in your whole carrier.